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Nara Sightseeing & the World of Buddhist Statuary

The Five-story Pagoda of Kohfukuji Temple and the Pond of Sarusawa

At Nara Park

Nara Park and several deer

Isuien Garden, a strolling-style landscape garden.

Isuien Garden

The South Great Gate to Todaiji Temple and several deer

The Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple

Nigatsudo Hall of Todaiji Temple

Kasuga Grand Shrine

Lantern-lit room in one of the Kasuga Grand Shrine buildings

Sake tasting at a local sake brewery in Nara Machi

Nara Sightseeing & the World of Buddhist Statuary

Art, Culture, & Historical

Joined 2016

Yoshihisa T.

4.97 / 5

(273 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Nara

Japanese (Native), English

7 hours

Private tour (only you and Yoshihisa T.)

Up to 5 people

Through this tour you will be intrigued with the charm of Buddhist statuary, which represents people's wishes and prayers. Figures of statues vary according to the development of eras from Asuka period to Muromachi period. At the same time you can visit Nara Park, where you can feed deer. Also you can visit a nice sake tasting place after the tour if you like.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

10:00 AM

Meeting Point

Kintetsu Nara Station or JR Nara Station

Kohfukuji Temple and its national treasure museum

Nara Park ( You can enjoy feeding rice-bran crackers to deer.)

Isuien Garden, a strolling-style landscape garden with two different types of gardens built in different ages.

Todaiji Temple ( the Great Buddha Hall, Nigatsu-do Hall and Hokke-do Hall )

Kasuga Grand Shrine ( Strolling in the cedar forest is very cool and refreshing. )

Local sake tasting at a sake brewery in Nara Machi

Ending Point

Kintetsu Nara Station or JR Nara Station

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

guide fee

What‘s not included

lunch, entrance fee ( ￥3600) for Kohfukuji Temple ( the national treasure house ) Isuien Garden and Todaiji Temple ( the Great Buddha Hall ) and local sake tasting (￥500 or more ) at the sake brewery.

Tour Important Information

This is a walking tour and it is desirable that you wear walking shoes or sneakers. A pet bottle of water is to be carried with you.

Important message from the supplier

It is desirable to carry overseas travel insurance because the guide is not liable for any damage or loss incurred during the tour. It is also requested to bring enough Japanese yen with you because some restaurants and taxis do not accept credit cards.

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Joined 2016

Yoshihisa T.

4.97 / 5

(273 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Yoshihisa T.

Hi. My name is Yoshihisa. Call me "Yoshie", please. It means good or O.K. in Japanese. I live in Joyo City, Kyoto Prefecture, located just in between Kyoto and Nara. I was born and raised in Iga, Mie Prefecture. Iga is a birthplace of ninja and a renowned haiku poet, Matsuo Basho. I might be a descendant of ninja. I aim at becoming a linguistic ninja, following a part of Basho's lifestyle with the incorporation of seasonal changes into my tours. In addition to visiting famous temples and shrines, I invite you to lesser-known places of historic interest.

Once in a month I go hiking or mountain climbing with some friends mainly in mountains surrounding Kyoto and Nara basins. Recently I have got intrigued by the charms of Buddhist statues, which are manifestations of people's wishes and prayers. I also like izakaya (Japanese-style taverns) hopping, tasting delicious dishes and locally brewed sake at reasonable prices. Especially I like communicating with people from home and abroad, talking face to face. Some of the above-mentioned elements are included in my walking tours. I hope you will discover new aspects of cultural and natural beauty in Kansai area through one of my tours which you could never gain otherwise.

One of my favorite phrases that come from Zen Buddhism is Ichigo Ichie or this meeting-but only once in a lifetime. My interpretation goes this way: This place and this moment never cross again. Each and every good encounter, however, lingers on like the sound of a temple bell. Won't you explore a deeper world of Japanese culture in Kyoto, Nara and Osaka with me?

Reviews

Amy H.

5 / 5

Dec 16, 2025

My Favorite Golden Route: Kyoto One-day Tour

Dec 16, 2025

Kyoto

8 hours

“Putting the "Personal" Touch in the Tour”

This was our first time in Kyoto and rather than walking cluelessly from one site or one shrine to another, we decided to get a tour guide to learn the history and meaning behind the places we visited. We could not have asked for a better tour guide than Yoshie, who made our tour one of the most memorable days of our trip. Not only was he incredibly informative about each place we visited, but he also weaved in entertaining stories and little historical tidbits that one would not find in a tour book. Yoshie also knows the best places and angles to take photos and would miraculously have us pose in pictures where no other tourists were in our photo (many of which ended up in our holiday card this year!). We ended the day at an Izakaya of his choosing and were treated to warm welcomes, cozy local vibes, and delicious food. It was also my husband's birthday, and the restaurant owner surprised him with a cake, and the whole place ended up singing happy birthday to him. We were very moved by the generous spirit and my husband was grinning ear to ear. If you want a personal touch, someone with deep knowledge and the gentle manner to share it with you, and a more profound grasp of the history of Japan in that region, Yoshie is your person! We have already recommended him to our friends who are going to Kyoto next year!

Yoshihisa T.

Hi Amy. I really appreciate your marvelous comment on my tour in Kyoto. I am delighted to learn that you had such a great time in every aspect of the tour, from my silly jokes, photo-taking spots to the food and warm atmosphere of the izakaya. I am looking forward to your next visit to Kansai area someday again. With warm wishes. Yoshie

Brit D.

5 / 5

Dec 8, 2025

A Five-hour Tour in Kyoto for Brit's Family

Dec 8, 2025

Kyoto

5 hours

Customized

“Perfect day in Kyoto with Yoshi!”

Our family had the most wonderful time with Yoshi, on our very first day in Kyoto. He was so friendly, warm and knowledgeable -- and he packed a LOT of sightseeing into our walking tour, without rushing us! My husband and I, as well as our son (15) and daughter (12) were delighted by all of the history, culture and stories he shared. Our highlight was having dinner at the tiniest izakaya - just barely enough room for the five of us at the bar, and the amazing food kept coming until we said stop. Truly the best - you will not go wrong, with Yoshi! Thank you Yoshi - sincerely, the Davis Family (from Colorado, USA)

Yoshihisa T.

Hi Brit. Thank you so much for your heartwarming comment on my tour in Kyoto. I am very pleased that you and your family still remember the tour and dinner with me more than ten months ago. I sincerely hope that our paths will cross someday again. With the best wishes. Yoshie

Gan kong C.

5 / 5

Nov 25, 2025

A Day's Tour in Osaka for Gan Kong

Nov 25, 2025

Osaka

7 hours

Customized

“Day tour Osaka”

Excellent 5 star

Yoshihisa T.

Hi Chin-san. Thank you very much for your tours in Nara and Osaka. I had a pleasant time guiding and talking with you two. I hope you have returned home safely with lots of nice memories of Japan. With best wishes. Yoshie